Director of Defense Growth & Strategy

ARA • Marshall Township, PA

14h • $165,000 - $235,000

About The Position

The Director of Defense Growth & Strategy drives long-term opportunity development across key Department of Defense (DoD) stakeholders, focusing on identifying and shaping autonomy and robotics programs aligned with Neya/ARA’s capabilities. At the T12 Principal Professional 2 level, this role serves as a senior technical and strategic partner to government leadership, shaping requirements and acquisition approaches to support sustained company growth in autonomy and robotics. The position calls for extensive DoD expertise, senior-level relationship skills, and the ability to independently manage complex, high-impact efforts.

The role operates with minimal oversight and determines objectives, strategies, and approaches for complex assignments. It applies advanced technical principles, contributes to organizational-scale concepts, and represents the organization on technical, business, and strategic matters. Decisions may significantly affect programs, customers, and long-range organizational goals. The Director also conducts senior-level briefings for government and executive leaders.

The typical experience profile is 12–15+ years with a bachelor’s degree or 10–12+ years with a master’s degree. Required qualifications separately specify 15–25 years of senior-level DoD ecosystem experience. The salary range is $165,000–$235,000, based on qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• BS or MS in Engineering, Political Science, National Security, or a related field.
• 15–25 years of senior-level experience within the DoD ecosystem, including military, government, or industry leadership roles.
• High-level proficiency in PPBE, POM, and defense acquisition structures.
• A proven track record of shaping program requirements and acquisition approaches for major defense initiatives, ideally involving autonomous systems, robotics, or advanced technologies.
• Established, trusted relationships with senior leaders across key DoD commands, such as AFC, NAVSEA, and AFMC.
• A proven track record of independently driving work forward in agile, high-tempo settings.
• Typically 12–15+ years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 10–12+ years with a master’s degree.

Nice To Haves

• Background in program leadership roles at DARPA, DIU, or other service-level R&D organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to interface with Congressional stakeholders overseeing defense authorization and appropriations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of autonomy-related technologies, including modeling and simulation, AI/ML, and vehicle operating system architectures.
• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain credible senior-level engagements with DoD organizations, including PEOs, PMs, requirements officers, S&T leaders, and technical authorities, with a focus on autonomy and robotics.
• Shape opportunities early by informing requirements, budget trajectories, and acquisition pathways for autonomy and robotics programs before formal release.
• Identify autonomy- and robotics-related mission requirements, emerging capability needs, and future program trajectories through strategic engagement.
• Develop win strategies and competitive discriminators for major autonomy and robotics pursuits, and exercise sound judgment in pursue/no-pursue determinations.
• Collaborate with Capture Managers to align pre-RFP shaping work with subsequent capture execution for autonomy and robotics programs.
• Prepare well-substantiated white papers and technical briefs presenting Neya/ARA capabilities in autonomy, robotics, modeling and simulation, and AI/ML, and support government program development.
• Lead senior-level briefings communicating autonomy and robotics technical capabilities to government decision-makers, industry partners, and organizational leadership.
• Engage with engineering leadership to shape internal R&D and product investments based on DoD autonomy and robotics demand signals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director